[Leica] R-Series Owners Stranded?

[kapner at earthlink.net (Leonard J Kapner)]

Forgive me if this issue has been raised and discussed to conclusion,  
but I'm at a point with my photography where this question is of  
importance to me.

I am a long-time Leica user and fine art photographer, working  
primarily outdoors in the always fluid margin between civilization and  
nature. I have an M9 on order. I chose to order it after dithering for  
several years on a digital body to complement My M7 and full range of  
lenses. I think I am glad I waited and have little doubt that I will  
be pleased with my choice, for certain kinds of photography I enjoy  
that are not in my "kill" zone.

But I also have a significant investment in R-series: Several M8s and  
a range of prime lenses from 18-280mm. I was very happy a while back  
when a Leica factory executive mentioned an R10 in development, only  
to learn less than a year later that it had been decommitted. I have  
tested the DMR solution extensively and find it clumsy, obsolescent  
and wanting.

Now, I understand there is recently available an adapter line for  
current Canon and Nikon full-frame bodies, as well as a Novoflex  
solution to mate Leica lenses to micro/3rds format that preserves  
aperture priority automation when used with Panasonic reflex digital  
bodies. And there are rumors of some sort of subterranean project  
involving Leica in the works, to bring us a full-frame reflex solution  
that takes full advantage of the hard-coded R-series lenses.

To my mind, a solution of the best kind would be a Leica-designed full- 
frame digital body, with all the functionality of the film R9, plus  
focus confirmation. To use my R-series lenses to full advantage in the  
kind of photography I enjoy most, I think I need little else.

To our expert commentators and Leica watchers on the list, what do you  
think is the most likely probability for the R-series, going forward?  
And if it's not a Leica-based solution, what's next best?

If you prefer, responses off line also would be welcome.

Len Kapner
kapner at earthlink.net